Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

No passengers for Nam transport to Zim following fuel protests

Home National No passengers for Nam transport to Zim following fuel protests

WINDHOEK – Public transportation, both via road and air, is still readily available from Namibia to Zimbabwe despite the political and civil unrest that flared up in the southern African nation this week. However, while transportation companies say they are ready to drive and fly, most of the buses destined for Zimbabwe are practically empty and flights under-booked as travellers seem to be waiting for the unrest to subside before travelling to the troubled country. 

Meanwhile, Air Namibia yesterday confirmed to New Era that none of their flights to Zimbabwe have thus far been cancelled and the airline is continuing with its three weekly flights to Harare. This is despite some South African airlines, like FastJet, cancelling all flights to Zimbabwe. 

According to Air Namibia’s Corporate Communications Officer for External and Public Relations, Twaku Kayofa, Air Namibia’s town office was severely affected by the shutdown of internet and telephone services. However, he emphasised that none of the airport’s operational services were affected by civil unrest in Zimbabwe. In fact, Kayofa confirmed that Air Namibia will actually increase its services to Zimbabwe later this year from three to four flights a week due to increased demand on the route. 

In addition, Intercape, which is the largest inter-city bus service in the southern African region, yesterday confirmed that service to Zimbabwe is back on following a brief disruption earlier in the week. Intercape travels to a number of Zimbabwean destinations, namely Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Gweru, Masvingo and Kwekwe. 

Similarly, drivers of mini-buses from Windhoek’s Soweto Market also told New Era that they are ready and willing to transport passengers to Zimbabwe. However, when New Era visited the market yesterday all of the mini-buses were practically empty with only a few drivers sitting around waiting for customers. 

This week’s unrest in Zimbabwe was sparked by that government’s unexpected announcement of massive 150 percent fuel price hikes, with petrol rising from US$1.24 to US$3.31 a litre and diesel rising from US$1.36 to US$3.11. These enormous increases have since made Zimbabwe the most expensive country in the world to fill up a vehicle. 

Following widespread protests against the fuel increases, which subsequently turned violent and resulted in extensive looting and property damage, Zimbabwe was completely shut down. Banks, the stock market and schools are closed while roads in and out of the main towns remained blocked with transport systems having been shut down. 

Also, newspapers were suspended and the internet and social media have been shut down by the government with most business coming to a complete standstill. More concerning is that most bus services into the country, mainly from South Africa, bringing desperately needed imported food supplies, were also reported to have been suspended.